Amador County - A GMC panel van stolen recently from an Amador County business and used for suspected burglaries was recovered Tuesday. The van was recovered along with a Chevrolet pickup from a Chico air conditioning company on a remote road in the town’s Butte Creek Canyon area. Police suspect that both vehicles were used over the last week to break into an ATM and cart off another in the Chico area. Police said the white panel van was seen at a Shell gas station early Sunday morning, where an automated teller machine was removed from the business after burglars smashed out a plate glass window. Investigators believe the stolen pickup was used by burglars when they smashed their way into Cal Skate on Carmichael Drive in Chico about 11 p.m. on New Year's Day and broke into an ATM there, emptying it of cash. "They used a grinding wheel to get to the money," said police Lieutenant Linda Dye, adding: "It was a very fast job." On Monday, after removing the ATM from the Shell station, police believe the same suspects used the van to haul it up a nearly impassible road known as Old Highway 32, where they used the grinding wheel and other tools to break into the ATM, removing an unknown number of $20 bills. The ATM, the van, the pickup, and several items from the two vehicles were abandoned at the scene. Police said the suspects left the area in a third vehicle, and believe at least four people are involved in the burglaries, based on the effort it took to move and break into the heavy ATM device. Investigators said they have no leads on suspects, but hope to lift fingerprints on some items found in the Butte Creek Canyon area. Similar crimes are suspected of being committed by the stolen vehicle suspect who fled from police Saturday near Plymouth. Staff Report with Alex Lane
Thursday, 08 January 2009 00:03
Suspect Van Recovered
Amador County - A GMC panel van stolen recently from an Amador County business and used for suspected burglaries was recovered Tuesday. The van was recovered along with a Chevrolet pickup from a Chico air conditioning company on a remote road in the town’s Butte Creek Canyon area. Police suspect that both vehicles were used over the last week to break into an ATM and cart off another in the Chico area. Police said the white panel van was seen at a Shell gas station early Sunday morning, where an automated teller machine was removed from the business after burglars smashed out a plate glass window. Investigators believe the stolen pickup was used by burglars when they smashed their way into Cal Skate on Carmichael Drive in Chico about 11 p.m. on New Year's Day and broke into an ATM there, emptying it of cash. "They used a grinding wheel to get to the money," said police Lieutenant Linda Dye, adding: "It was a very fast job." On Monday, after removing the ATM from the Shell station, police believe the same suspects used the van to haul it up a nearly impassible road known as Old Highway 32, where they used the grinding wheel and other tools to break into the ATM, removing an unknown number of $20 bills. The ATM, the van, the pickup, and several items from the two vehicles were abandoned at the scene. Police said the suspects left the area in a third vehicle, and believe at least four people are involved in the burglaries, based on the effort it took to move and break into the heavy ATM device. Investigators said they have no leads on suspects, but hope to lift fingerprints on some items found in the Butte Creek Canyon area. Similar crimes are suspected of being committed by the stolen vehicle suspect who fled from police Saturday near Plymouth. Staff Report with Alex Lane
